TUCSON — Looking a bit weaker and tired, Dexter Fowler returned to Hi Corbett Field today after missing two days with flu-like symptoms. Fowler actually came to the ballpark Tuesday but was sent home to rest. He’s likely not going to practice today either, though he could take part in some light activities.

“It was awful. I was up at the 4 in the morning getting sick. I could hardly eat anything,” Fowler said.

Not surprisingly, he’s not on the Rockies’ travel roster for Thursday’s Cactus League opener at the Diamondbacks. That game will be started by Jason Hammel. And here’s a look at who will head over to Tucson Electric Park, noting that Troy Tulowitzki and Todd Helton are not on the squad. Tulowitzki expects to play Friday in one of the split-squad games in Phoenix.

Before heading off to their annual golf tournament, the Rockies will hold a light practice and the rag ball finals. That’s the game where the coaches hit smashes at the pitcher with a rubber ball. Pitchers receive points for every ball they catch clean. Among the finalists are Huston Street, Andrew Johnston and Franklin Morales.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.